Pumping apparatus



Feb. 1, 192s. `V J. a. sPERRY 16582-61 .rulrru'e APPARATUS Filed April 1,'1926 2 sheets-shea: 1

` l mmm fmrev CTI Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE;

kTOI-IN B. SPERRY, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN WELL WORKS,

i OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATIONOF ILLINOIS.

rUMrrNe APPARATUS.

Application filed April 1, 1926. Serial No. 98,939.

My invention relates to pumping apparatus for furnishing a water Supply :trom deep wells. It is `frequently desirable to deliver the water pumped to service pipes under air pressure, the kusualV arrangement being` to pump the water from the well into a reservoir or pressure tank and at the same time to pump air into such tank so that the air pressure thereby created serves to force the water through the service pipes,and it has' heretofore Abeen common practice to associate air pumping means with tlie'water pumping apparatus sothat the operation of.

pumping water also provides a supply of air under pressure. Sometimes, however, it is desirable to vpump water only, and in that `case where theapparatus is arranged to pump both air and water it is necessary that the construction besuch that the air pump ing means becapable of being disconnected or. be otherwise rendered inoperative.

The object of my present invention 1s to provide improved means `for pumping air coincidently with the pumping of water, and alsoA to provide for rendering such air pumping means inoperative without disconnecting any of the parts'.` Thevnature of my improvements and the advantages ensuing` therefrom will appear from the following description of myinvention as embodied in the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings which exemplifies the form in which I prefer to embody the same. It should be understood, however, Athat my invention may be incorporated in various other 'forms of apparatus other than thatv shown.' That I regard as new isset forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated my invention `as applied to' a power head of the type shown and described in my pending applicationv for patent, Serial No. 741,085, liled October 1, i924.. y

Fig. 1 a central vertical section of a power head andthe upper portion ot the woll tube with which it is associated;

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical section substantially online 2*,2 of Fig. 1; y

3 and 4t are vertical sectional views showing changed positions oi the parts, Fig. 3 illustrating thev position ofthe parts at the beginning of the up stroke of the plunger' i of the air pumping means, and Figqll illustrating` `their position on the down stroke of said plunger; and y Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a` collar that fits in the discharge heady of the well tube and forms a cover for the suction chamber hereinafter described.v K* Referring to the drawings, 6 indicates the well tube which at its upper vend is provided with a head 7 which provides a discharge chamber 8. At one side'oil thehead 7 is a neck 9 which provides discharge passage 10 for the-water, `or water and air,'pumped.` Extending over the upper end of the Well tube'vG is a-power headcasing 11 which is preferably mounted ona base 12 so that a portion yof the bottom thereof rrprojects laterally vbeyond said base and overlies the upper surface of the head 7 on which itl rests and to which it is secured, preferably by screws 13, as best shown in Figs.` 1 and Within the power head casing n 11 is ak cross-head 511i arranged to slide vertically on a fguide rod 15. suitably supported in said casing at one side of the well opening. Said cross-head isv reciprocated bymeans of a, pitman 16 'connected at one 'end ywith an arm 17 that forms a part ot the cross-head 14.y andat'its other end with `a wrist'pin 18 carried by agear 19 that is mounted on a horizontal shaft Q0 journaled in the sidev walls of the power head casing.' The gear 19 is rotated by means oit a pinion 21 carried by a. sha-lt 22 that extends outside of said casing yand carries a pulley which may be driven by a belt from" anymsuitable source of power. The cross-head 14. also comprises an arm 24 that extends over the well and carries a plungerrod 25 which extendsk down into the well, where Vit is provided'with means of any suitable description for pumping water to the surface. It will be understood thatl the operating mechanism contained within the power headl casing as above describedmaybe varied, asmy pres-v ent 'invention is not concerned with Vthe specific means by which the plunger rod 25' is reciprocated. p

By reference to Figures 3, 4- and 5, it willv be seen that the discharge head 7 is provided with an opening at the top, and that in said nog " erally disposed boss 32, as shown in said figures. The standard 3l is bored 'longitudinally to provide a passage 33 which at its lower end opens into the discharge chamber 8, and at its upper end communicates with a passage 34 through a fitting 35 that comprises a stop coclr 36. The upper end of the passage 34 is connected by any suitable means, such as elbows 3?, 33, with an eXpansion chamber 39 which is in the form of a tube of suitable dimensions closed at its upper end.

n rlhe standard 31 is also bored transversely f adjacent to its upper end to provide a transverse passage 40, one end of which is closedk by screw-threadedplug 4l while its other end communicates with a vertical passage 42 formed in the boss 32. The upper end of the latter passage is closed by a screw-threaded plug` 43, and the lower end of said passage forms a seat for a check valve 44 having a stem V45 that is guided by the plug 43. rlhe passage 42, therefore, forms a cli-eelt valve .chamber that communicates with the passage 33, and through it with the discharge chamber 3. The purpose of this arrangement is` to provide for admitting atmospheric air to the discharge chamber 8 in a manner that will be hereinafter more particularly described.

Secured between its ends in the collar 2G, `preferably by screw-threaded connection therewith, is a pump cylinder 46, the lower end of which extends down for a considerable distance into the discharge chamber 3., as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, .and operating in said cylinder is plunger 47 that is carried by the plunger rod 25. rlhe cylinder 46 is open at its lower end and is provided with an external collar 43, preferably secured thereto by screw threads and a cotter pin 49. The lower end of the cylinder 46 is enclosed by a cup 50, the bottom of which is provided with a tubular extension 51 that fits upon and vis'adapted to slide along the plunger rod 25. the iit being close enough to hold the cup against lateral displacement, but loose enough to permit v, ...ter to leal; through it into the cup, as will be hereinafter explained. The rim of the cup is flattened and is adapt-ed to seat against the under face of the collar 26, a washer 50 of leather or other suitable material being interposed between the contacting surfaces so as to make a better closure. Said washer` is preferably secured by one or more screws 52 to the under face of the collar 26 and is provided with an opening that registers with the lower end of the passage Projecting inwardly and downwardly from the rim of the cup is an annular frange 53 which forms an annular recess to receive the upper turn of a coiled spring 54, the lower end of which is seated on the collar 43 at the lower end of the cylinder 4G. ris the position of said cylinder is Fixed said spring exerts upward stress on the cup 50 and tends to hold its rim seated against the under face of the collar 2G, or more specifically the washer 5l.

rlhe operation of the apparatus above described is as follows: lVhen the plunger rod 25 is in oieration, on its up stroke water will be pumped up through the well tube (i to the discharge chamber 3 by the action of the pumping' devices (not shown) in the well tube. Some of such water will pass into the cu 50 fillino' it to a greater or less extentY 9 h te 7 that after the pumping apparat-us has gone into operation the cup will always contain a quantity of water, as shown in Fig. 3. s has been explained,`v said cup is normally seated against Vthe washer 50, and consequently on the up stroke of the plunger rod the plunger 47 in the cylinder 46 will draw the water in the cup up into the lower end of said cylinder, lowering the water level in the cup and creating a partial vacuum in the upper portion thereof. Said cup, therefore, provides a suction chamber by which suction may be applied to the passage 33 leading to the check valve chamber 42. This reduces the atmospheric pressure in said ch amber, and, if the cock 35 is closed, causes air to flow thereinto past the check valve 44. The air so admitted flows into tie upper part of the cup 50, this flow continuing as long` as the plunger 4'? continues its upward movement. On the down stroke of the plunger rod 25 the plunger 4T moves downward in the cylinder -ii' and therefore forces the water out of said` cylinder back into the cup, which con'ipresses the air in the upper portion of the cup, since the check valve 44 then automatically seats, preventing the escape of the air previously drawn into the apparatus. The air pressure thus created in the cup overcomes the tension of the spring 54 and causes the cup to more downward along the plunger rod 25 `to the position shown in Fig. 4, thereby permitting the air in the cup to escape over its rim into the discharge chamber 3. from which it passes out vith the water delivered from the well through the outlet l0. These operations are repeated as the plunger rod reciprocatcs so that a supply of air under pressure is constantlj.T delivered with the water discharged from the well. I thus provide a liquid piston actuated by the plunger 47 for supplylao lib

ing airlto the water pumped from the well. VIt will be understood that the above described operations take place if the cock v is closed to cut off the expansion chamber 39 trom communication with the suction chamber in the cup. Iii, however, it be desired to operate the pump without delivering airunder pressure to the ,water discharged, this may be accomplished by opening the cock to connect the passage 33with the expansion chamber 39,*by'v which arrangement on the up stroke ot the plunger 47 a'partial vacuum will be created in the cup 50 as betere, but instead ot' drawing in atmospheric air suctionwill be applied to the air in the expansion chamber 39 so that, after the ap'- vpara'tus has been in use for a short time, no

atmospheric air willbe drawn inpastthe check valve. On the down stroke of the plunger the reverse movement ot the wa ter inthe cup 50 will simply force thek air back into the expansion 'chamber without causing the cup 5() to be moved from its seat, since the parts are so'designed that the air pressure thereby created will not be suliicient to overcome the tension ot the spring 54. The construction above described, therefore,

providesa very simple and conveiiientmeans by which the pumping of air may be controlled withoutl disconnecting any oli the parts, but merely by turning Lthe cock 35.

It will befnoted :trom `an* inspection of Fig. 'i that the'cylinder 46 and also the eX- pansion chamber 39 are located aboveV the well tube,.and these parts are all enclosed by a cover plate that forms a part-of the power .head casing 1l. f

In addition to the advantages due to its simplicity of control, lthe apparatus described possesses the further advantages that it provides a rpositive air pump whiehis co-r axial with the well tube and cylindei'46, and therefore may be applied to `discharge heads ot standard design without Valtering their smooth external appearance, and the moving `pars are reduced to a minimum. Also a standard design of collar for closing the upper end ot thedischarge head may be used with all sizes otwell tubes.` Furthermore, damage to the leathers of the plunger 47 `is prevented, should the air attachment become water logged, because of the excessive outlet area provided by the movement of the cup away irom its seat. Any leakage ot water back through the air device is caredfor by drainage into the discharge head.

Villiatl `claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a piliniping apparatus, the combination with a welly tube provided with a.v discharge chamber jlfor the water pumped, of

a cylinder extending at its lower end finto said chamber, a! cup disposed in said chainber around the `lower portion of said cylinder and forming a liquid containing Lsuction chamber,`means adapted to admit atmospheric air to the latter chamber, anda plunger adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder and operating on its up stroke to draw air into said suction chamber, and on its down stroke to force air from the latter chamber into said discharge chamber. i

`In a pumping apparatus, the combination'with a. well tube provided with discharge chamber for the water pumped, ot' a cylinder extendingl at its lower end into said "chamber, a vertically movable cup` disposed vinsaid chamber around the vlower portion of said cylinder, a seat cooperating with the cup away from its seat to permit air therein to `pass into said discharge chamber.

3. In. pumping apparatus, the combination with a welltube having a head provided with a` discharge chamber for the water pumped, ot a cylinder extendingat its lower end into said chamber, a cup disposed in said chanibe'r around the lower portion ot4 said cylinder, a seat carriedr by said head and cooperating with the riniot said rcup to lorin a'suctioiiV clia.inber,a plunger rod eX tending through said cylinder and cup into theA well tube, a plunger carriedby said rod and operating in said cylinder, a spring for rnormally seating said cup, and check valve controlledmeans for admitting atmospheric airto said suction chamber on the up stroke of said plunger.

4. In a pumping apparatus, the combination with a well tube having a head provided with a discharge chamber for the water pumped, of a cylinder extending at its loweicnd into said chamber, a collar carried by said head around said cylinder, a pluiigei'rod adapted to i'ecilnfocale in said cylinder, a plunger carried by said rod and operating in said cylinder, a cup slidable on said rodaiid disposed in said disch argc chainber around the lower end portion oi said cylinder, the rim of said cup being adapted to seat against said collar, a spring normally holding said cup in its seated position, an

fair duct leading to the upper portion ot said cup, and a'clieck valve associated with said duct. y K

l 5.r In a pumping apparatus, the combination with a well tube `provided with a discharge chamber for the water pumped, ofi cylinder connected at `its lower endwith said chamber, a plunger rod` extending through said cylinder, a plungerpcarried by said rod and operating in said cylinder, liquid piston means coaxial with said cylindei,adapted to`- be actuated by the reciprocation of said plunger for forcing atmospheric air into said discharge chamber, and means'operable to render said air forcing means inoperative. Y

6. AIn a rpumping apparatus, the combination With a well tube provided With a discharge chamber for the Water pumped, of a cylinder connected at its lower end with said chamber, a plunger rod extending through said cylinder, a plunger carried by said rod and operating in said cylinder, liquid piston means coaxial with said cylinder, adapted to be actuated by the reciprocation of said plunger for forcing` atmospheric air into said discharge chamber, an expansion chamber associated with said means, and a valve for cutting off said expansion chamber from said air forcing means.

7. In a pumping apparatus, the combination With a. Well tube provided With a discharge chamber tor the Water pumped, ot a cylinder extending at vits lower end into said chamber, a cup disposed in said chamber around the lower port-ion et said cylinder and forming a liquid containing suction chamber, means adapted to admit atmospheric air to the latter chamber, a plunger adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder and operating on its up stroke to draw air into f said suction chamber, and on its down stroke der and forming a liquid containing` suction chamber. means adapted to admit atmos pheric air to the latter chamber, a plunger adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder and operating on its up stroke to dra u' air into said .suction chamber, and on its down stroke to force air from the latter chamber into said discharge chamber, an expansion chamber, and a valve controlled passage connecting said expansion chamber With said suction chamber.

9. In a pumping apparatus, the combination with a Well tube having a head provided with a discharge chamber for the Water pumped, of a cylinder extending at its lou7H er end into .said chamber, a collar carried by said head around said cylinder, a plunger rod adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder, a plunger carried by said rod and operating in said cylinder, a cup slidable on said rod and disposed in said discharge chamber around the lower end portion of said cylinder, the rim of said cup being adapted to seat against said'collar, a spring normally holding said cup in its seated position, an

air duct leading to the upper portion of said cup, a check valve associate-d With said duct,v an expansion chamber, and valve controlled means connecting said expansion chamber with the upper portion of said cup.

10. In a pumping apparatus, the combination with a Well tube, a cylinder coaxial therewith, a plunger rod, and a plunger carried by said plunger rod and reciprocating in said cylinder, of liquid piston means coaxial with said cylinder and actuated by the reeiprocation of said plunger to supply atmospheric air to the Water delivered by the pump.

11. In a pumping apparatus, the combination with a Well tube, a cylinder coaxial therewith, a plunger rod, and a plunger carried by said plunger rod and reciprocating in said cylinder, or' liquid piston means coaxial with said cylinder and actuated by the reciprocation of said plunger to supply atmospheric air to the Water delivered by the pump, and means for cutting oii' the admission ot atmospheric air to said liquid piston means.

12. In a pumping apparatus, the combination with' a well tube, a cylinder coaxial therewith, a plunger rod, and a plunger carried by said plunger rod and reciprocating in said cylinder, of a liquid containing suction chamber coaxial With said cylinder and communicating therewith, and means for admitting atmospheric air to said suction chamber on the suction stroke of said plunger, said suction chamber beingl adapted, on the opposite stroke of said plunger, to discharge ai-r with the Water deliver-ed by the pump.

13. In a pumping apparatus, the combination with a Well tube, ot acylinder coaxial with said Well tube, a cup Within the Well tube around the lower portion of said cylinder and forming a liquid containing suction chamber, means adapted to admit atmospheric air to said chamber, and a plunger adapted to reciprocate :in said cylinder and operating on its suction stroke to draw air into said suction chamber, and on its opposite stroke to discharge airffrom said chamber with the Water delivered by the pump.

14. In a pumping apparatus, the combination with a Well tube, of a cylinder coaxial With said well tube, a movable cup Within the Well tube around the lower por tion of said cylinder, a seat cooperating with the rim ot said cup to form a suction chamber, means adapted to admit atmospheric air to said chamber, means for normally seating said cup, and a plunger adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder and operating on its suction stroke to draw air into said suction chamber and on its opposite stroke to move said cup away from its seat to permit air therein to be discharger. with the Water delivered by the pump.

15. In a pumping apparatus, the combina into or out of seating engagement with Said tion with a Well tube having a discharge collar, a spring for normally seating said head, a collar fitted n said head, a cylincup, and check Vvalve eontrolledmcans for 10 der mounted in Said collar, a plunger rod admitting atmospheric air to said cup on the 5 adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder, a suction stroke of the plunger.` f

plunger carried by said rod, a cup enclosing thelower end of said cylinder and movable JOHN B. SPERRY. i 

